What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil
Emollient
Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningBenzaldehyde
Masking
Cocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Betaine
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Benzaldehyde, Cocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Betaine, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyquaternium-10
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyquaternium-10, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Carbomer, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is the filtered, stabilized liquid pressed from the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf.
In cosmetics, it shows up as either soothing active or a water-replacement base. It is roughly 98-99% water and the last 1-2% is an interesting mix of polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
The polysaccharides do most of the work: they bind water at the skin surface for a light, non-greasy hydration boost. And one of the polysaccharides, glycomannan, is linked to fibroblast stimulation + collagen synthesis. This is also why aloe has such a long track record in wound and burn healing.
This ingredient is also calming with anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity, making it a great pick for sensitive, irritated, or post-sun skin.
Realistic expectations matter though; the solid evidence is mostly limited to hydration, soothing, and wound support. Deeper claims about anti-aging or sun protection are not well backed, and science reviews note it does not prevent radiation-induced skin injury.
Because it plays well with almost everything, it's commonly used as a base alongside other actives like niacinamide or vitamin C.
Typical usage concentrations range from 0.5% (where hydration benefits already show up) all the way to 90%+ (where it replaces water as the main base).
The safety for this ingredient is well-establish as well. Overall, this is a great supporting ingredient for those who want a boost in hydration.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceYou may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric Acid
